History will be made in more ways than one next week as Baylor football opens McLane Stadium.

The stadium’s debut — returning football to campus after nearly 80 years — is historic enough. But don’t forget that the young men on the field are, for the first time in program history, defending a Big 12 Conference championship. And this year’s team looks to be pretty salty in its own right.

Petty and Goodley are two of five Baylor preseason All-Americans, joining offensive lineman Spencer Drango, linebacker Bryce Hager and punter Spencer Roth. Seven Bears — the preceding five, plus Linwood and defensive end Shawn Oakman — are on watch lists for national awards, while a total of 11 Bears earned preseason All-Big 12 honors from more than one outlet.

If you can’t get a ticket to the sold-out season opener on Aug. 31, tune into FS1 (6:30 p.m.) for the national broadcast of the Bears vs. SMU, or find a #WatchBU party in your city.